Carlo Abuyuan

8th Class, 2015-2017

Carlo Abuyuan graduated from Syracuse University with a Master’s in Public Administration and a MA in International Relations. His research focused on economic empowerment and financial inclusion of vulnerable populations, particularly in long-term refugee situations, tying in cross cutting issues such as migration, remittances, health and food security. During his studies, he interned at the State Department with the Bureau of Populations, Refugees and Migration focusing on the Horn of Africa and South Sudan and with the Near East Foundation, researching and helping to develop gender inclusive value chains and markets for non-wood forest products. Prior to his graduate studies, he was a Peace Corps volunteer in Kenya working with a microfinance and health organization. Before Peace Corps, he worked with various service providers and volunteers to ensure the successful integration of newly arrived refugees and survivors of human trafficking. Carlo obtained his B.A. in Political Science in the University of California, San Diego.

Policy Placement: FHI 360; Washington, DC

Based in Washington, DC, Carlo continued to support FHI 360’s LIFT II project in Zambia, while applying lessons learned to improve implementation of the program from HQ. In particular, he used his knowledge of the field to improve data analysis and assist in the creation and improved use of digital-based tools. Using his experiences and knowledge of economic empowerment and financial inclusion, he was the technical specialist for the Malawi DREAMS project. In this capacity, he worked with the field office to economically empower communities in Zomba and Machinga provinces through savings groups and income generating projects. Additionally, he ensured that the program educated these communities on the importance of investing their assets to support girls’ education.

Field Placement: FHI360; Mkushi, Zambia

Carlo worked in Mkushi District, Zambia under FHI360’s LIFT II project. The LIFT project aims to strengthen and build referral networks to improve continuum of care, particularly for undernourished people, people living with HIV, orphans and vulnerable children. This approach aims to connect clients to services that address the entirety of their needs including economic strengthening, livelihoods development, food security and health services. The project identifies collaboration opportunities among local service providers and provides capacity upgrade training to strengthen their ability to support the vulnerable people. In Zambia the project trained local NGOs and community groups to offer economic support through Savings Groups. As the Health and Livelihood Coordinator, Carlo worked with partners to ensure that vulnerable populations were included in the Savings Groups, while also connecting them to other community and clinical services that address other needs they may have had. These services help clients move more quickly towards self-sustainability.